Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2006; 11: 39
The aim of this study was to pilot the methods and processes for a main study of the safety of treatment by a homoeopath. Safety in this study includes the effects of (i) the homoeopathic remedy, (ii) the consultation with the homoeopath and (iii) advice given during the consultation by the homoeopath.
Homoeopaths were contacted and asked to fill in baseline questionnaires for all patients who consulted them for homoeopathic treatment during the 2-week time period. Those patients who consented to participate in the study and who gave baseline information were then sent a further questionnaire 6 weeks after their baseline consultation.
One hundred and four patients consented to participate in the study. Six-week questionnaires were posted to patients, of which 63/104 (60%) were returned. The majority of patients came with conditions which they had had for more than 1 year. Three-quarters of patients had previously consulted a GP or hospital consultant about this condition prior to baseline. Twelve in 63 patients (19%) reported an adverse event within the 6-week time period, 1/12 patients reported contacting their GP as a result of their adverse event and 9/12 patients reported full recovery from their adverse event. At 6 weeks all patients who reported an adverse event also reported an improvement in both their present complaint and general well-being compared to baseline.
The results of this pilot study will inform the main study of the safety of treatment by a homoeopath.
This pilot study was made possible by an award from the Department of Health National Research Capacity Development Scheme.
